Oakland University men's soccer takes Michigan to double overtime

ROCHESTER — In perhaps its biggest non-conference game on the schedule, Oakland University's men's soccer team played the University of Michigan to a 0-0 tie in a contest that went to double overtime, in front of a crowd that was reported to be the largest ever at the OU Soccer Field at 1,637.

Oakland out-shot the Wolverines 18-16, with both teams having their opportunities to score. While he would have preferred to come away with a victory, Oakland coach Eric Pogue thought the ending may have been fitting.

"Our team competed hard," he said. "Game could have gone either way. I think we had portions of the game, they had portions of the game. Either team could have won, either team could have lost. To come away with a tie is probably a just result. We, obviously, would like a win, but against a quality opponent like Michigan, to walk away with a tie on our home field in front of this great crowd is a good springboard for our Cleveland State game this weekend."

Oakland sophomore Shawn Claud Lawson thinks playing Michigan can help prepare the Golden Grizzlies for Horizon League play.

"Michigan's a really good opponent," he said. "They got everything — speed, strength, defense. It's good for us to sharpen up for Saturday."

Following the tie, Oakland now sits at 2-2-4, with the Wolverines moving to 2-2-3.

Oakland is next scheduled to be in action at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28 in a road game against Cleveland State.

The Golden Grizzlies' next home game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 5 against the University of Detroit Mercy.